Oranga Tamariki isn't to blame for child uplifts, we are

ROBERT KITCHIN/KEVIN STENT/STUFF
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sits down with Stuff acting political editor Stacey Kirk to talk about the Oranga Tamariki issue.

OPINION: In a sea of hate towards Oranga Tamariki, I would like to add my two cents worth – whatever value it adds.

I'm a paediatric nurse who has worked within the New Zealand healthcare system for years.

In that time I've seen the ugly face of child abuse more times than you could possibly imagine.

Sometimes, in the 18-bed ward in which I worked, we would have three child abuse cases.

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"I've seen the ugly face of child abuse more times than you could possibly imagine (file photo).
Nic Walker/AFR
"I've seen the ugly face of child abuse more times than you could possibly imagine (file photo).

Some were only mild: a broken rib, burns to feet or neglect. But some were more horrific: a 6-week-old baby with a fracture count in the 30's, a child who has been hit over the head and face with bruises the size of golf balls.

And some were even worse: babies with brain bleeds so severe it's likely they'll never walk or talk.

These aren't hypothetical situations. I've nursed every single one of those children.

I've held them as they screamed in pain because their brains were so sore and swollen. 

I've changed the dressings on the wounds and burns and I've cuddled them to sleep wondering if that was the first time they've felt safe.

Oranga Tamariki's actions in trying to take this baby from his mother are now subject to two inquiries.
SUPPLIED/NEWSROOM
Oranga Tamariki's actions in trying to take this baby from his mother are now subject to two inquiries.

To say Oranga Tamariki is taking children away for the hell of it, or without consideration, is uninformed and ludicrous.

Sure, it may make an odd mistake but it is not the villain here.

When Nia Glassie and the Kahui twins were killed the first thing people screamed were "Where was CYFS?!" – now Oranga Tamariki.

The blame will be on Oranga Tamariki whether it doesn't uplift children, or it does uplift the children when there's risk – such as this case.

New Zealanders need to understand the extent of our child abuse problem – not every abused child ends up in the papers or on TV. In fact, practically none do.

New Zealand has the highest rate of child abuse in the OECD (file photo).
Nicolas Walker/AFR
New Zealand has the highest rate of child abuse in the OECD (file photo).

Our problem is that we do not see the abuse festering away in the undercurrent of New Zealand society.

It's everywhere and it's toxic.

Oranga Tamariki isn't committing these acts of abuse and violence. That lies solely on the shoulders of New Zealanders.

Yes, your neighbours, your work colleague, your family – we are all responsible for keeping the next generation safe.

We have the highest rates of abuse against children in the OECD and enough needs to be enough.

We need to break the cycle of abuse in the homes rather than focusing our blame on the very organisations put in place to care for our most vulnerable.

Twins Chris and Cru Kahui died in June 2006 after suffering serious brain injuries.
SUPPLIED
Twins Chris and Cru Kahui died in June 2006 after suffering serious brain injuries.

I have nothing but praise for Oranga Tamariki. Its staff have been with me and the doctors when we've had to have family meetings, talked me through my notes which will undoubtedly end up in court, and been the frontline of a war many do not even know they're fighting.

They are overworked, under-resourced and do a job which would break even the most hardened person.

So when spouting words of hate and condemnation at them, maybe think about the reason they have a job in the first place. 

Maybe it's time to start with us.

* The author, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, has been a paediatric nurse for six years in Auckland and Christchurch.

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